In case you didn’t know…
For the first time since 2007, Messi fell outside the top two spots as Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, all finished ahead of him. Modric claimed the award, thereby ending the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly.
Messi, meanwhile, is on 11 goals from 13 LaLiga matches and is now the first player to break into double figures in a league season for the 13th year in a row.
The heart of the matter
Messi smashed in 45 goals and created 18 more in just 54 appearances last season. He was the best player for a side that only lost one league game and finished the season on 93 points, 14 ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Despite the 31-year-old’s heroics, he ended up fifth on the best players’ list. Alba expressed his disgust over the snub and stated:
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde also labeled the award ‘absurd’, remarking:
What’s next?
Not much can be done about the Ballon d’Or results now, but no footballing household in the world is unaware of Lionel Messi’s prowess. The little magician and his Barcelona side, meanwhile, host Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening, before travelling to Levante next weekend.
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